Recapitulating the Real: Veristic Realism and Moral Consciousness in Cathy Glass An Innocent Baby

Abstract

Within literature, emotions are artistically rendered to expose the psychological depth and moral texture of human life. They enable readers to engage empathetically with fictional and real experiences, bridging the distance between the self and the other. As a narrative force, emotion not only animates character and plot but also reflects the ethical and social realities embedded within human relationships. Hence, the exploration of emotion in literary texts provides valuable insight into the truth of human experience, revealing the tensions between vulnerability, morality, and the pursuit of understanding. By recapitulating the real experiences of caregiving, the text foregrounds the psychological and affective truth of human emotion, emphasizing the nuanced interplay between compassion, responsibility, and ethical awareness. Glass’s narrative style avoids sensationalism, instead privileging the emotional authenticity of everyday acts of care, attachment, and moral decision-making. Through a detailed analysis of the text, the study highlights how veristic realism functions not merely as a literary technique but as a conduit for fostering empathy, ethical reflection, and social understanding. The analysis argues that An Innocent Baby exemplifies the capacity of contemporary foster narratives to reconcile emotional veracity with moral consciousness, thereby offering readers a profound insight into the lived realities of vulnerable children and the ethical obligations of those who care for them.